Provincial Government Failing to Protect Ontario Place from Jets

posted by NationBuilder Support on May 19, 2014

Kathleen Wynne Should Say ‘No to Jets’, But Announcement DisappointsTORONTO – Monday's announcement by Premier Kathleen Wynne on the future of Ontario Place was laudable, but failed to address the main threat to the revitalization plans – the expansion of the Island Airport.
“The future of Ontario Place is in peril from jets taking off and landing merely 200 metres away,” NoJetsTO chair Anshul Kapoor pointed out. “To talk about Ontario Place but to shy away from the issue of an expanded Island Airport is not the leadership Toronto’s residents deserve.”
The plans outlined by Premier Kathleen Wynne involve a pledge to exclude condo development but instead reshape Ontario Place into a major all-year recreational and entertainment destination. Wynne stayed mum on the jet issue.
“Wynne says ‘no to condos’ at Ontario Place, but why doesn’t she say ‘no to jets’?” Anshul Kapoor asked. “The revitalization of Ontario Place can only be successful if the dangerous plans to expand the current airport are stopped. Sadly, the province refuses to take action.”
Revitalization plans for Ontario Place include a new waterfront trail and park as well as a new year-round venue for music events. The new waterfront park will be located around 200 metres away from the proposed extended Island Airport runway.
“The Port Authority has even asked for millions in provincial infrastructure dollars for their airport expansion plans,” Kapoor added. “To claim that the Island Airport expansion is purely a city issue is non-sense. Wynne’s statements were a disappointment.”
“The future of Toronto’s waterfront is a provincial issue as well. We expect all provincial leaders and all parties to work with the City of Toronto,” the NoJetsTO chair concluded. “We need our provincial leaders to stand together and not divided for a jet-free Toronto waterfront.”
NoJetsTO is a coalition of concerned citizens dedicated to preserving Toronto’s mixed-use waterfront and a boutique Island Airport. Representing residents across Toronto, the non-partisan organization NoJetsTO opposes the expansion of the Island Airport through jet aircraft and extended runways. NoJetsTO’s goal is to preserve the status quo at the Island Airport by protecting the Tripartite Agreement that governs it.